The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1887-12-30

Ahis ptohiJ thu ndu itlb t0e nclghDOTlOO0
within the last few days, and no one in Cos
well road knew what had become of him
So had my journey for nothing, and all
the expenses of payment for carrying me
through the heart Of the big city, where there
was not breath Of air stirring that hot day.
do not think the drive did me any good, I
was so terribly vexed that Mr.. Bird was not
u be discovered, and that had TO return to
Prossiter street with his hateful carving on
my lap. would have thrown il out OF the
cab only was afraid Of hitting somebody
between the eyes and creating an uproar in
the metropolis.
"Put that wretched thing away where
can't see IT," said TO Bridget on my return.
YES MIN; leave it to me, m'm.n
II don't mean where we can't find it,p
added, meeting decisive EXPRESSION In
Bridget O'Gowan's green eyes that alarmed
me; 1.-THE man may call again, although
doubt IL very much.n
Next week | was strong enough TO Join the
Brians at Margate-that salubrious retreat
where one meets everybody he knows, il he
only waits long enough. And on the jetty
extension that evening met Capt Choppers
and Mr.. Goode, who had both come down
"by accident" and who had been passing
each other cu the jetty all the evening q
though they had never met IN the whole
course of their lives. Mr. Goodies two sons
were in Margate also, but, having fallen
beadlong into the water while fishing, had
gone home to bed while their suits were being
dried. And the next morning whom should
| meet face TO face, and smiling as vigorously
as ever, but Geofiry Bird, the carver
II was early morning, when few people
were stirring, and had gone for walk
along the fort TO put my blood in circulation
and get an appetite for breakfast. The
Brians were not early risers, and | knew it
was no use calling at their apartments till
$50 o'clock.
Mr.. Bird was clad in a dark blue pilot suit,
with a very yellow straw hat set on the back
Of his head and large telescope under his
arm. He was supremely nautical, and took
him for somebody rather high in the coast
guard service--a sergeant or something
before be raised his hat and came with an an-
telope kind of spring toward me-
Miss Neild," he exclaimed, ~ am so very
glad to see you about again. You really
cannot imagine how glad / amr'
81 don't understand why it should occasion
you any pleasure, sir" | said. in my most re-
served tone of voice.
Don't you, thought Oh, well, I'll tell
you"
He turned and walked by my side, and
did not see on the instant how it was possible
to get rid of him. l felt my equanimity was
seriously disturbed by his appearance, by his
insufferable obtrusiveness. This was part
and parcel of his ordinary behavior-a total
want of forethought, which was as evident
taat day as in the small bours of the morn
ing when he had reused me out of my first
sleep by nearly battering the house down.
He alluded to that little incident at once.
SIN answering me that unlucky night,
Miss Neild, you nearly caught your DEATH"
he explained, ''and nobody can imagine how
miserable was-how desperately wretched
until l heard you were out of danger.
should have never forgiven myself, upon my
honor, and did not know a moments peace
till Bridget, your girl told mo you were out
of danger Lor, what trial it was'
II don't see why-I don't understand at all
D
II can just fancy how a man feels who has
committed murder and is not found out
yet," he continued; sit was dreadful and all
my own fault too-every scrap Of it."
did not feel SO bitterly toward him after
this His manner was genuine, if too forci-
bic and fluent for everyday wear l might
have even thanked him for his exaggerated
interest in my health and said good morning,
If had not suddenly remembered his sur
reptitious visits to my lodgers' apartments.
Then was adamant, and he saw it. He was
certainly an observant man, whom very
little escaped. l noticed the broad smile
disappear, and he said, almost with astonish-
ment;
why, you're offended with me stillla
"As | have only seen you once before in
my life, l cannot very we'll speak of being
offended, Mr.. Bird-but must say"--
mo. no, don't say it," he cried, interrupt
ing me, don't say word more, please. l.
i know 1t was great liberty-an unwarrant-
able liberty-but could't help it. I wanted
to make little return for all the trouble and
misery had brought about, and couldn't
think Of anything else. had just done it,
you see."
Done whatr' I exclaimed, snappishly-I
could have screamed at him for two pins
why, the little bit of carving-aren't you
talking about thatf' he inquired
mo, sir, although III trouble you TO re-
move the article from my premises as soon
as you conveniently can
"Ohw
But am alluding now, sir to your un-
gentlemanly behavior in bribing my servants
to let you inspect my apartments
Poor girls, frightened them, but l did not
give them money as a bribe You might
have thought better OF a fellow than that" )"
he said, very sorrowfully; although why
you should don't know exactly"
You had no right to go into my dodgers
rooms and search for that trumpery umbrella
you LOST
mo right" he repeated.
"Certainly-no right"
"But one of those two old beGSars has got
1t" he cried, energetically; "rm sure of
that
"How dare you say this TO meln
who else can 1t BET / know you haven't
got it, he cried. II am sure your two SER
wants are as innocent as babes unborn, and
they We're the only two besides in the house
that night-the upstairs lot had gone to Tun-
bridge for two days"
"How did you know thattn
"Oh, made every inquiry" he explained,
coolly; land as the umbrella was a precious
possession TO mel think told you before it
was gift from my father ON his dying bed
i made every effort to find out what had
become of it."
And very mean way to find out it was, n
said, with asperity; "and-good morning. N
"Go-ood morning." he said in low, croak-
ing voice He raised his bilious straw hat.
dropped his telescope, which he picked up
and tucked once more under his arm, came
suddenly to full stop and let me go on my
way unmolested any further by him.
When had got good distance from him,
l began to feel little sorry-even a little in
doubt If had not been too hard upon him.
He had appeared SO utterly dumfounded by
my last opinion Of his conduct, and he had
turned Of such variety of colors. Perhaps,
from his point Of view, and with an umbrella
which had vanished from every point of view,
he was not wholly to be blamed. Perhaps
the captain had-no, that was quite iinDos-
sible. Perhaps Mr.. uoode-ohl | was getting
as miserably distrustful as tins unhappy man,
Yes, was little sorry. AS went off the
fort stole one glance behind me to make
sure what had become of him--that his i'm
pulsive nature even had not led him to jump
OF the cliff, He was all right; he was a long
way otf-indeed, in the very place where
had left him-not overwhelmed or mad with
grief and shame, as had almost feared he
might be, but standing with his legs planted
widely apart looking at me through his tele-
scope When he saw / had turned he
wheeled quickly round and feigncd an inter.
est in the sea, knocking the hat off u bath
chairman Just passing him with an early fare
who had lostthe use of his legs.
Well there is an end of the intruder.